Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Top Luxury Lodge in Tanzania - Mnemba Island Lodge

By Kark Heinz

Mnemba Lodge is located on an island off the coast of Zanzibar. This is an exquisite serene getaway that allows guests to quietly savor Mother Nature's delight. As a testimony of its stunning allure, Conde Nast Traveller nominated Mnemba Island as one of the most romantic ocean destinations in the world.

Mnemba is an Arabic term that means an octopus head. Mnemba is situated two kilometers north east of the island of Zanzibar, a 20 minutes cruise ride in a traditional 16 foot flat bottomed boat. It's accessible via a flight from Zanzibar off Zanzibar's east coast. The island is encompassed by a one mile circumference of pristine beach. The island has an exquisite coral reef , home to giant turtles, ghost crabs and unique tropical fish and as a result a protection zone surrounds this island.

The only inhabitants of the island are lodge staff and guests, offering luxurious privacy and guaranteed exclusivity unparalleled on the African coastline. Mnemba Island features just ten en suite banda cottages, bordered on three sides by tropical beach forest and overlooking the beach and coral reef.

A banda is a masterpiece of art made from locally available materials. Each banda is hand woven and thatched from tree branches. Traditionally zanzibari palm mats adorn the banda. The food is top notch, the chef caters for your every taste.

Mnemba boasts some of the world's most beautiful diving sites (Please note that a valid diving certificate is needed), and there is a professional dive school designed specially for you, at extra cost. The spectacular waters of the Indian Ocean surrounding Mnemba fall within a 200-metre protected zone and provide a sanctuary for a host of marine animals and magnificent coral reefs.

The lagoon surrounding the island is a haven of spectacular aquatic life. More than 300 species of fish have been documented here. Whales and dolphins are a common sight in this waters especially the stripped dolphin. Game fish like the barracuda and marlin are tagged before being released back to the lagoon.

Mnemba has a wide range of fun filled activities from which guests can choose from. There are water related activities like scuba diving, windsurfing, snorkeling, kayaking, fly fishing and swimming. This island also creates a superb bird watching environment, the clean sandy beaches make you want to go for beach walks or simply working on your tan while lying in the beach.

The option of adventure doesn't end there, you could choose to tour the ancient 'Spice Island' of Zanzibar or go for deep sea fishing. If you aren't up for the hustle and bustle you could choose to indulge in therapeutic treatments or a relaxing message. Mobile reception isn't that good on the island, a broadband WiFi signal is available on the island. - 16492

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